Mattress with attachable cores

ABSTRACT

A mattress including a core having a corner positioned along a top surface of the core and extending along a head portion, a foot portion, and first and second side portions of the core, a perimeter rail structure that extends around a perimeter of the core to surround the core. The core is attached via the corner to the perimeter rail structure along the perimeter rail structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 63/272,381, filed Oct. 27, 2021. The disclosure of the priorapplication is considered part of (and is incorporated by reference in)the disclosure of this application.

This document describes devices, systems, and methods related tomattresses with attachable cores.

BACKGROUND

In general, a bed is a piece of furniture used for sleeping andrelaxing. Many modern beds include a soft mattress on a bed frame. Themattress may include springs, foam material, and/or air chambers tosupport the weight of one or more users. Various features and systemshave been used in conjunction with beds, including pressure adjustmentsystems for adjusting firmness of one or more users of the bed.

SUMMARY

The document generally relates to mattresses with multiple mattresscomponents (such as air chambers or other mattress cores) that can beconnected to each other. More specifically, the document relates tomattress systems with a core (such as an air chamber core) that isattached to a rail structure that surrounds the core to retain the coreto the rail structure when the mattress system is compressed andshipped, and when the mattress system is in use. This can retain thecore in an appropriate position with respect to the rail structure.

Particular embodiments described herein include a mattress that includesa core having a corner positioned along a top surface of the core andextending along a head portion, a foot portion, and first and secondside portions of the core, a perimeter rail structure that extendsaround a perimeter of the core to surround the core. The core can beattached via the corner to the perimeter rail structure along theperimeter rail structure. The mattress can include a foam layerpositioned at a top surface of the mattress above the core and theperimeter rail structure. The mattress can include a plurality of strapsthat are each positioned between a top surface of the perimeter railstructure and a bottom surface of the foam layer, the plurality ofstraps attach the perimeter rail structure to the corner. The mattresscan be configured to be compressed and rolled, and in a compressed androlled position, the attachment of the core to the perimeter railstructure maintains a desired positioning of the core. The core can beone or more air chambers. The corner can include a seam that extendsoutwardly from the top surface of the core. A plurality of straps canconnect the core to the perimeter rail. The core can be one or more foamlayers. The perimeter rail structure can include an inverted foam tubthat surrounds the core. The perimeter rail structure can include one ormore foam rails including a head portion, a foot portion, and first andsecond side portions.

Embodiments described herein include a mattress that includes one ormore air chambers and a perimeter rail structure including a headportion, a foot portion, and first and second side portions. Theperimeter rail structure is configured to extend around a perimeter ofthe one or more air chambers to surround the one or more air chambers.The mattress includes one or more anchors that connect the one or moreair chambers to the perimeter rail structure. Each of the one or moreair chambers can include a seam positioned along a top surface of theair chamber and extending outwardly from the air chamber along a headportion, a foot portion, and first and second side portions of the airchamber. One or more anchors can connect the perimeter rail structure tothe one or more air chambers at the seam. The one or more anchors caninclude a plurality of straps positioned around the perimeter of the oneor more air chambers and extend between the seam and the perimeter railstructure. Each of the straps can connect to the seam via a snapconnection. The mattress can include a foam layer positioned at a topsurface of the mattress above the one or more air chambers and theperimeter rail structure. Each of the plurality of straps can be eachattached between a top surface of the perimeter rail structure and abottom surface of the foam layer. The anchors can include at least oneof snaps, straps, Velcro® brand hook and loop, lamination, buttons,zippers, and combinations thereof. The anchors can be positioned along alength and along a width of the air chamber. The mattress can beconfigured to be compressed and rolled, and in a compressed and rolledposition, the attachment of the air chambers to the perimeter railstructure maintains a desired positioning of the air chambers. Themattress can include a mattress cover that encloses the mattress. Theone or more air chambers can include a first air chamber and a secondair chamber that extend from a head of the mattress to a foot of themattress. The air chambers can be connected to each other along amidline of the mattress. The mattress can include a pump system havingone or more air pumps fluidly connected to the first and second airchambers, wherein the pump system is configured to inflate the first andsecond air chambers. The mattress can include means for inflating thefirst and second air chambers.

Embodiments described herein include a method of assembling a mattressassembly. The method can include connecting a core to a perimeter railstructure, compressing and packaging a compressed mattress including thecore and perimeter rail structure, and expanding the compressed mattresswhile the core remains secured to the perimeter rail structure. The corecan be connected to the perimeter rail structure via a corner positionedalong a top surface of the core. The core can be an air chamber that hasa seam extending from the core, and the core is connected to theperimeter rail structure at the seam of the air chamber extending alonga top surface of the air chamber. The air chamber can be inflated bypneumatic connection to an air pump.

The devices, system, and techniques described herein may provide one ormore of the following advantages. For example, the disclosed embodimentsprovide for improved relative positioning of the core and the railstructure when the mattress system is compressed and shipped, and whenthe mattress system is in use. Attachment of the core to the railstructure facilitates a fully assembled mattress system throughout acompressing and rolling process, which enables expansion of the mattresswith a proper positional relationship between the core, the perimeterrail structure, and other layers of the mattress system without a needto access components of the mattress that are contained inside of amattress cover. The mattress cover can facilitate access to or may beremovable to facilitate access to an interior of a mattress system thatwill allow a user and/or a serviceperson to adjust the positionalrelationship between the core, the perimeter rail structure, and otherlayers of the mattress system.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a bottom perspective view of a mattress with a core, baselayer, and a cover removed.

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a portion of a mattress with acover removed.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of cores that can be implementedin a mattress.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a portion of an air chamber with an attachedanchor that can be implemented in a mattress.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an end of an air chamber with anattached anchor that can be implemented in a mattress.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an anchor that can be implemented in amattress.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an anchor connecting an air chamberto a perimeter rail structure.

FIG. 8A shows an example configuration of the mattress system havingmultiple layers.

FIG. 8B shows an example configuration of the mattress system havingmultiple layers.

FIG. 9 shows an example air bed system with a pump.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example of various components of an airbed system.

FIG. 11 shows an example environment including a bed in communicationwith devices located in and around a home.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document generally relates to air mattress systems with internalsupport structures, such as foam, air chambers, springs, or othersuitable structures. A plurality of air chambers (or other cores) can bepositioned in such a way to provide support and sleeper spine alignmentthrough a range of firmness pressure settings.

Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example mattresssystem 100 as described herein. The mattress system 100 is depictedupside down in FIG. 1 to show components contained therein. The mattresssystem 100 can include a rail structure 110, a top foam layer 102, aplurality of anchors 104, and a core 120 that can be inserted within therail structure 110 under the foam layer 102, as described in detail inreference to FIG. 8 .

The top foam layer 102 is positioned at a top surface of the mattresssystem 100 above the core 120 and the perimeter rail structure 110. Thetop layer 102 can extend across an entire length of the mattress system100 from the head end 114 to the foot end 116 of the mattress system100. The top layer 102 can be made of foam or some similar type ofcushioning material, such as synthetic support materials (e.g., polymermaterials) or natural support materials. The top layer 102 can be anytype of material as described throughout this disclosure, such as foam,batting, or other suitable material. For example, the top layer 102 canbe positioned between the core 120 and a sleeper on the mattress system100 and the top layer 102 can include one or more layers of materials(e.g. foam layers). The top layer 102 can provide comfort and/or supportto a user resting on the mattress system 100.

The rail structure 110 can be a structure positioned at a perimeter ofthe mattress system 100. The rail structure 110 can be a foam railstructure that includes separate rails at the head end 114, foot end116, and the right and left sides, each of the separate rails can beconnected to each other (e.g. via adhesives, fasteners, or fasteningmeans). In some embodiments, each of the separate rails (e.g. head endhead end 114, foot end 116, and the right and left sides) are notconnected to each other, and each of the separate rails are attached tothe top layer 102. For example, each of the separate rails can beconnected to a bottom surface of the top layer 102 at a top surface ofeach of the separate rails. The rail structure 110 can be a foam railstructure that combines with another layer (such as the top layer 102)to form an inverted foam tub where the head end 114, foot end 116, andright and left sides of the rail structure 110 are connected with eachother and with the top layer 102 via adhesive, lamination, or othersuitable fasteners. The rail structure 110 can be formed of materialsother than foam, and can be positioned around the perimeter of themattress system 100. The rail structure 110 provides some shape and/orstructural support to the mattress system 100. In some implementations,the core 120 can be inserted within a space defined by the railstructure 110. The core 120 can include one or more additional foamlayers, one or more air chambers 106A,106B, one or more sets of springs,or combinations thereof. The core 120 can be positioned within the spacedefined by the rail structure 110 and below the top foam layer 102between a head end 114 and a foot end 116 of the mattress system 100, asdepicted and described further in reference to FIG. 8 .

Moreover, as depicted, the components of the mattress system 100 arearranged inside a perimeter formed by the rail structure 110. The railstructure 110 can be a foam structure (or other material suitable forthe application) that can maintain the components described herein inplace when the mattress system 100 is moved and used. The rail structure110 can therefore be positioned at a perimeter of the mattress system100. In some implementations, a fire resistance sock 109 (FR sock 109)can be positioned around some or all of the components within themattress 100.

A plurality of anchors 104 can be positioned along the head end 114, thefoot end 116, and right and left sides of the mattress system 100. Theplurality of anchors 104 extend inwardly from the rail structure 110 andare attached between a top surface of the rail structure 110 and abottom surface of the top layer 102, as will be described in more detailin reference to FIG. 7 . As illustrated, mattress system 100 includesthree anchors 104 on each the right and left side of mattress system 100and four anchors 104 along the head end 114 of the mattress system 100.In some aspects, not illustrated in FIG. 1 , more or fewer anchors 104can be used. For example, four anchors 104 can be positioned along afoot end 116 of mattress system 100. In some aspects, mattress system100 includes the anchors 104 positioned along the head end 114 and theright and left sides, and omits anchors 104 along a foot end 116. Insome aspects, mattress system 100 includes the anchors 104 positionedalong the right and left sides, and omits anchors 104 along the head end114 and the foot end 116. Anchors 104 can include snaps, straps, Velcro®brand hook and loop fasteners, lamination, buttons, zippers, andcombinations thereof such that the anchors 104 connect the core 120 tothe rail structure 110, as described in reference to FIG. 7 .

The mattress can also include a mattress cover 112. The mattress cover112 is mostly removed from view in FIG. 1 to illustrate the interior ofthe rail structure 110 and the anchors 104. The mattress cover 112 cancover the components described herein to also maintain the components inplace. The mattress cover 112 can be made of one or more fabrics orother similar textile materials. The mattress cover 112 can enclose theentire mattress system 100.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a partial exterior view layers of the mattresssystem 100 is shown. The mattress system 100 includes the top layer 102positioned above and connected to the rail structure 110. The top layer102 can be a comfort layer positioned above the rail structure 110 andabove the core 120 to enclose the core 120 within the rail structure110.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the mattress system 100 can include a core 120that is received within the rail structure 110. In some aspects, thecore 120 includes one or more air chambers 106A, 106B that extend fromthe head end 114 to the foot end 116. The first air chamber 106A canextend from a left side to a midline 111 of the mattress system 100 andthe second air chamber 106B can extend from a right side to the midlineof the mattress system 100. The first air chamber 106A and the secondair chamber 106B can be connected to each other at the midline 111 viaone or more fasteners positioned along the length of each of the airchambers 106A, 106B. The fasteners that connect the first and second airchambers 106A, 106B can include zippers, anchors, snaps, hooks, Velcro®brand hook and loop, or combinations thereof that connect the airchambers 106A, 106B to each other. In some aspects, the first airchamber 106A and the second air chamber 106B can be the same size aseach other, or the first air chamber 106A and the second air chamber106B can be different sizes. The first air chamber 106A and the secondair chamber 106B can be connected away from midline 111. In someaspects, mattress system 100 can include more or fewer than two airchambers.

The mattress system 100 can be sized in a number of suitable mattresssizes, including single, twin, Full, Queen, and King sized beds. In someof such implementations, the mattress system 100 can include a firstzone having a first air chamber 106A and a second zone having a secondair chamber 106B. The first zone can be used by a first user and thesecond zone can be used by a second user. In some implementations, suchas with Full, Twin, or Single beds, the mattress system 100 may onlyinclude the first air chamber 106A. In some embodiments, the second airchamber 106B can be fluidly connected to the first air chamber 106A. Inother embodiments, the second air chamber 106B can be fluidly separatedfrom the first air chamber 106A.

As depicted in FIGS. 9-10 , the mattress system 100 can be in fluidcommunication (via hoses) to a pump 920. The pump 920 can include one ormore air pumps that can be fluidly connected to the first and second airchambers 106A, 106B, respectively. The pump 920 can be configured toinflate the first air chamber 106A to a first common internal pressureand to inflate the second air chamber 106B to a second common internalpressure. The first common internal pressure can be different than thesecond common internal pressure, for example, based on user preference.

FIG. 3 illustrates the first air chamber 106A and second air chamber106B connected along midline 111 and shows the air chambers 106A, 106Binverted such that a bottom surface 202 is up and a top surface 204 isdown. When installed the air chambers 106A and 106B in the mattresssystem 100, the top surface 204 can be positioned above bottom surface202 such that the top surface 204 is closer to the top layer 102 thanthe bottom surface 202.

The core 120 (e.g. air chambers 106A, 106B and/or foam core, springcore, or other core) includes a corner 210 positioned along a topsurface of the core 120 and extending along the head portion 114, a footportion 116, and the right and left side portions of the core 120. Theterm corner 210 can be used to describe a place or angle where two ormore sides or edges meet. The corner 210 can be positioned along the topsurface of the core 120, and the core 120 can include more than onecorner around the perimeter of the core 120. For example, the corner 210at the head end 114 can be separate from the corner 210 along the rightand left sides and can be separated from the corner 210 at the foot end116. The corner 210 can include one or more fasteners 208 that arespaced apart around the top surface of the core 120 along a head end114, foot end 116, and along the right and left sides. The fasteners 208can include snaps, straps, Velcro® brand hook and loop, fasteners,lamination, buttons, zippers, and combinations thereof that arecompatible with anchors 104 to connect the core 120 to the railstructure 110, as described in reference to FIG. 7 .

The core 120 can also include a bottom surface corner 212 that sharesthe features of corner 210 and is positioned along a bottom surface 202of the core 120. The core 120 can include corners that are orientedhorizontally (e.g. corners 210, 212) and corners (e.g. corners 214) thatare oriented vertically that extend between the bottom surface 202 andthe top surface 204 of the core 120. Each of the corners 210, 212, 214can include one or more fasteners 208 that can connect each surface ofthe core 120 to the rail structure 110 via connection with anchors 104.While it is possible that each of the corners 210, 212, 214 can includefasteners 208, in some embodiments it is not required that each of thecorners 210, 212, 214 has fasteners 208. For example, the corner 210 caninclude fasteners 208 while the corners 212, 214 do not includefasteners 208. The fasteners 208 can include snaps, straps, Velcro®brand hook and loop, fasteners, lamination, buttons, zippers, andcombinations thereof that are compatible with anchors 104 to connect thecore 120 to the rail structure 110, as described in reference to FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 , in aspects of the mattress system 100where the core 120 includes one or more air chambers 106A, 106B, thecorner 210 can include a seam that extends around the perimeter of thetop surface 204 of each of the air chambers 106A, 106B. In some aspects,the seam can be a lamination seam where layers of the air chambers 106A,106B are laminated and sealed thereby forming a seam of material thatextends from the top surface 204 of the air chambers 106A, 106B. In someaspects, including the corner 210 illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 , the seamcan extend outwardly from the top surface 204. In other aspects, theseam can be an internal seam where the seam folds inwardly from the topsurface 204.

In aspects of the mattress system 100 where the core 120 includes one ormore layers of foam and/or one or more layers of springs, the corner 210can be a border section that surrounds the top surface 204 of the core120, where the border section can be flush with the top surface 204 orcan extend away from the top surface 204 in the same or similar mannerto the seam that extends from the air chambers 106A, 106B. The corner210 can include fabric or other materials.

FIG. 6 shows an anchor 104 detached from the core 120 and the railstructure 110. The anchor 104 includes a strap 230 that extends from andis connected to a base 232. In some aspects, the base 232 can connectthe anchor 104 to the rail structure 110. In other aspects, the base 232can connect the anchor 104 to the core 120. The base 232 and the strap230 can be sewn together, integral with each other, connected viaVelcro® brand hook and loop, zippers, snaps, hooks, or otherwiseattached to each other.

The strap 230 can extend away from the base 232, and can be formed of arigid material or a flexible material. A flexible strap 230 facilitatesa non-rigid connection between the anchors 104 and the core 120 thatallows for relative movement of the core 120 while maintaining theposition of the core 120 within the rail structure 110. A rigid strap230 maintains the position of the core 120 within the rail structure 110while minimizing or eliminating the relative movement of the core 120within the rail structure 110.

The strap 230 can include one or more fasteners 234 that can bepositioned near an end 236 of the strap 230 and in the center of a widthof the strap. The strap 230 can include more than one fastener 234. Forexample, the strap 230 can include two or more fasteners 234 at variedpositions along the strap 230 and/or the base 232. In some aspects, thefastener 234 can be a snap, a hook, Velcro® brand hook and loop, oranother fastener that is compatible with fasteners 208 positioned alongthe corner 210.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the anchor 104 connected to therail structure 110. The base 232 (not shown in FIG. 7 ) of the anchor104 is connected between the rail structure 110 and the top layer 102,and the strap 230 that is connected to the base 232 extends outwardlyfrom the connection gap 240 between the top layer 102 and the railstructure 110 to connect to the corner 210 of the core 120. Asillustrated, the corner 210 includes a seam of air chamber 106A that hasa fastener 208 (e.g. a snap) that mates with the fastener 234 and thestrap 230. As illustrated, the connection occurs at the corner 210 alongthe top surface 204 of the core 120. In operation, the connection of thecore to the rail structure 110 along the top surface 204 of the core isadvantageous to facilitate improved support to the top layer 102 withmore reliable and consistent positioning of the core 120 within the railstructure 110.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict example configurations of the mattress systemhaving one or more layers including a core 820, a rail structure 810, atop layer 802 and a bottom layer 816 as described above. FIG. 8A is aschematic head end 812 view of an example configuration of components ofmattress system 800A with a cover removed to show internal componentsthereof. As shown in this view, the mattress system 800A can include thetop layer 802, the rail structure 810, the air chamber 806A, the airchamber 806B, and a base layer 816. A mattress cover (not shown in FIG.8A) can be positioned on an outside of the mattress system 800A. The toplayer 802 can extend across an entire length of the mattress system 800Afrom the head end 812 to the foot end of the mattress system 800A. Thetop layer 802 can be any type of material as described throughout thisdisclosure, such as foam, batting, or other suitable material. The toplayer 802 can provide comfort and/or support to a user resting on themattress system 800A.

The air chambers 806A, 806B can extend across some, most, or all of alength of the mattress system 800A. The rail structure 810 can bepositioned beneath the top layer 802 and can form a perimeter around theair chambers 806A, 806B. The rail structure 810 can form a perimeteraround the air chambers 806A, 806B. The rail structure 810 can provideadditional structural support to the mattress system 800A and maintainthe air chambers 806A, 806B in place. In addition to the rail structure,anchors (e.g. anchors 104 described above) facilitate connection betweenthe air chambers 806A, 806B and the rail structure 810 to maintain therelative positioning of the air chambers 806A, 806B and the railstructure 810 within mattress system 800A.

FIG. 8B is a schematic head end 812 view of an example configuration ofcomponents of mattress system 800B with a cover removed to show internalcomponents thereof. As shown in this view, the mattress system 800Bshares features with mattress system 800A including the top layer 802,the rail structure 810, and the base layer 816. A mattress cover (notshown in FIG. 8B) can be positioned on an outside of the mattress system800B. In some embodiments, base layer 816 can be removed.

Mattress system 800B includes a core 820, the core 820 can include airchambers (e.g. air chambers 806A, 806B), one or more foam layers, one ormore spring layers, and combinations thereof. The core 820 can extendacross some, most, or all of a length of the mattress system 800B. Therail structure 810 can be positioned beneath the top layer 802 and canform a perimeter around the core 820. The rail structure 810 can form aperimeter around the core 820. The rail structure 810 can provideadditional structural support to the mattress system 800A and maintainthe core 820 in place. In addition to the rail structure, anchors (e.g.anchors 104 described above) facilitate connection between the core 820and the rail structure 810 to maintain the relative positioning of thecore 820 and the rail structure 810 within mattress system 800A.

Example Airbed Hardware

FIG. 9 shows an example air bed system 900 that includes a bed 912 thatcan be implemented and used in mattress system 100. The bed 912 includesat least one air chamber 914 surrounded by a resilient border 916 andencapsulated by bed ticking 918. The resilient border 916 can compriseany suitable material, such as foam.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the bed 912 can be a two chamber designhaving first and second fluid chambers, such as a first air chamber 906Aand a second air chamber 906B. In alternative embodiments, the bed 912can include chambers for use with fluids other than air that aresuitable for the application. In some embodiments, such as single bedsor kids' beds, the bed 912 can include a single air chamber 906A or 906Bor multiple air chambers 906A and 906B. First and second air chambers906A and 906B can be in fluid communication with a pump 920. The pump920 can be in electrical communication with a remote control 922 viacontrol box 924. The control box 924 can include a wired or wirelesscommunications interface for communicating with one or more devices,including the remote control 922. The control box 924 can be configuredto operate the pump 920 to cause increases and decreases in the fluidpressure of the first and second air chambers 906A and 906B based uponcommands input by a user using the remote control 922. In someimplementations, the control box 924 is integrated into a housing of thepump 920.

The remote control 922 can include a display 926, an output selectingmechanism 928, a pressure increase button 929, and a pressure decreasebutton 930. The output selecting mechanism 928 can allow the user toswitch air flow generated by the pump 920 between the first and secondair chambers 906A and 906B, thus enabling control of multiple airchambers with a single remote control 922 and a single pump 920. Forexample, the output selecting mechanism 928 can by a physical control(e.g., switch or button) or an input control displayed on display 926.Alternatively, separate remote control units can be provided for eachair chamber and can each include the ability to control multiple airchambers. Pressure increase and decrease buttons 929 and 930 can allow auser to increase or decrease the pressure, respectively, in the airchamber selected with the output selecting mechanism 928. Adjusting thepressure within the selected air chamber can cause a correspondingadjustment to the firmness of the respective air chamber. In someembodiments, the remote control 922 can be omitted or modified asappropriate for an application. For example, in some embodiments the bed912 can be controlled by a computer, tablet, smart phone, or otherdevice in wired or wireless communication with the bed 912.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example of various components of a bedsystem. For example, these components can be used in the examplemattress system 100 and air bed system 900. As shown in FIG. 2 , thecontrol box 924 can include a power supply 934, a processor 936, amemory 937, a switching mechanism 938, and an analog to digital (A/D)converter 940. The switching mechanism 938 can be, for example, a relayor a solid state switch. In some implementations, the switchingmechanism 938 can be located in the pump 920 rather than the control box924.

The pump 920 and the remote control 922 are in two-way communicationwith the control box 924. The pump 920 includes a motor 942, a pumpmanifold 943, a relief valve 944, a first control valve 945A, a secondcontrol valve 945B, and a pressure transducer 946. The pump 920 isfluidly connected with the first air chamber 906A and the second airchamber 906B via a first tube 948A and a second tube 948B, respectively.The first and second control valves 945A and 945B can be controlled byswitching mechanism 938, and are operable to regulate the flow of fluidbetween the pump 920 and first and second air chambers 906A and 906B,respectively.

In some implementations, the pump 920 and the control box 924 can beprovided and packaged as a single unit. In some alternativeimplementations, the pump 920 and the control box 924 can be provided asphysically separate units. In some implementations, the control box 924,the pump 920, or both are integrated within or otherwise containedwithin a bed frame or bed support structure that supports the bed 912.In some implementations, the control box 924, the pump 920, or both arelocated outside of a bed frame or bed support structure (as shown in theexample in FIG. 9 ).

The example air bed system 900 depicted in FIG. 10 includes the two airchambers 906A and 906B and the single pump 920. However, otherimplementations can include an air bed system having two or more airchambers and one or more pumps incorporated into the air bed system tocontrol the air chambers. For example, a separate pump can be associatedwith each air chamber of the air bed system or a pump can be associatedwith multiple chambers of the air bed system. Separate pumps can alloweach air chamber to be inflated or deflated independently andsimultaneously. Furthermore, additional pressure transducers can also beincorporated into the air bed system such that, for example, a separatepressure transducer can be associated with each air chamber.

In use, the processor 936 can, for example, send a decrease pressurecommand to one of air chambers 906A or 906B, and the switching mechanism938 can be used to convert the low voltage command signals sent by theprocessor 936 to higher operating voltages sufficient to operate therelief valve 944 of the pump 920 and open the control valve 945A or945B. Opening the relief valve 944 can allow air to escape from the airchamber 906A or 906B through the respective air tube 948A or 948B.During deflation, the pressure transducer 946 can send pressure readingsto the processor 936 via the A/D converter 940. The A/D converter 940can receive analog information from pressure transducer 946 and canconvert the analog information to digital information useable by theprocessor 936. The processor 936 can send the digital signal to theremote control 922 to update the display 926 in order to convey thepressure information to the user.

As another example, the processor 936 can send an increase pressurecommand. The pump motor 942 can be energized in response to the increasepressure command and send air to the designated one of the air chambers906A or 906B through the air tube 948A or 948B via electronicallyoperating the corresponding valve 945A or 945B. While air is beingdelivered to the designated air chamber 906A or 906B in order toincrease the firmness of the chamber, the pressure transducer 946 cansense pressure within the pump manifold 943. Again, the pressuretransducer 946 can send pressure readings to the processor 936 via theA/D converter 940. The processor 936 can use the information receivedfrom the A/D converter 940 to determine the difference between theactual pressure in air chamber 906A or 906B and the desired pressure.The processor 936 can send the digital signal to the remote control 922to update display 926 in order to convey the pressure information to theuser.

Generally speaking, during an inflation or deflation process, thepressure sensed within the pump manifold 943 can provide anapproximation of the pressure within the respective air chamber that isin fluid communication with the pump manifold 943. An example method ofobtaining a pump manifold pressure reading that is substantiallyequivalent to the actual pressure within an air chamber includes turningoff pump 920, allowing the pressure within the air chamber 906A or 906Band the pump manifold 943 to equalize, and then sensing the pressurewithin the pump manifold 943 with the pressure transducer 946. Thus,providing a sufficient amount of time to allow the pressures within thepump manifold 943 and chamber 906A or 906B to equalize can result inpressure readings that are accurate approximations of the actualpressure within air chamber 906A or 906B. In some implementations, thepressure of the air chambers 906A and/or 906B can be continuouslymonitored using multiple pressure sensors (not shown).

In some implementations, information collected by the pressuretransducer 946 can be analyzed to determine various states of a personlying on the bed 912. For example, the processor 936 can use informationcollected by the pressure transducer 946 to determine a heart rate or arespiration rate for a person lying in the bed 912. For example, a usercan be lying on a side of the bed 912 that includes the chamber 906A.The pressure transducer 946 can monitor fluctuations in pressure of thechamber 906A and this information can be used to determine the user'sheart rate and/or respiration rate. As another example, additionalprocessing can be performed using the collected data to determine asleep state of the person (e.g., awake, light sleep, deep sleep). Forexample, the processor 936 can determine when a person falls asleep and,while asleep, the various sleep states of the person.

Additional information associated with a user of the air bed system 900that can be determined using information collected by the pressuretransducer 946 includes motion of the user, presence of the user on asurface of the bed 912, weight of the user, heart arrhythmia of theuser, and apnea. Taking user presence detection for example, thepressure transducer 946 can be used to detect the user's presence on thebed 912, e.g., via a gross pressure change determination and/or via oneor more of a respiration rate signal, heart rate signal, and/or otherbiometric signals. For example, a simple pressure detection process canidentify an increase in pressure as an indication that the user ispresent on the bed 912. As another example, the processor 936 candetermine that the user is present on the bed 912 if the detectedpressure increases above a specified threshold (so as to indicate that aperson or other object above a certain weight is positioned on the bed912). As yet another example, the processor 936 can identify an increasein pressure in combination with detected slight, rhythmic fluctuationsin pressure as corresponding to the user being present on the bed 912.The presence of rhythmic fluctuations can be identified as being causedby respiration or heart rhythm (or both) of the user. The detection ofrespiration or a heartbeat can distinguish between the user beingpresent on the bed and another object (e.g., a suit case) being placedupon the bed.

In some implementations, fluctuations in pressure can be measured at thepump 920. For example, one or more pressure sensors can be locatedwithin one or more internal cavities of the pump 920 to detectfluctuations in pressure within the pump 920. The fluctuations inpressure detected at the pump 920 can indicate fluctuations in pressurein one or both of the chambers 906A and 906B. One or more sensorslocated at the pump 920 can be in fluid communication with the one orboth of the chambers 906A and 906B, and the sensors can be operative todetermine pressure within the chambers 906A and 906B. The control box924 can be configured to determine at least one vital sign (e.g., heartrate, respiratory rate) based on the pressure within the chamber 906A orthe chamber 906B.

In some implementations, the control box 924 can analyze a pressuresignal detected by one or more pressure sensors to determine a heartrate, respiration rate, and/or other vital signs of a user lying orsitting on the chamber 906A or the chamber 906B. More specifically, whena user lies on the bed 912 positioned over the chamber 906A, each of theuser's heart beats, breaths, and other movements can create a force onthe bed 912 that is transmitted to the chamber 906A. As a result of theforce input to the chamber 906A from the user's movement, a wave canpropagate through the chamber 906A and into the pump 920. A pressuresensor located at the pump 920 can detect the wave, and thus thepressure signal output by the sensor can indicate a heart rate,respiratory rate, or other information regarding the user.

With regard to sleep state, air bed system 900 can determine a user'ssleep state by using various biometric signals such as heart rate,respiration, and/or movement of the user. While the user is sleeping,the processor 936 can receive one or more of the user's biometricsignals (e.g., heart rate, respiration, and motion) and determine theuser's present sleep state based on the received biometric signals. Insome implementations, signals indicating fluctuations in pressure in oneor both of the chambers 906A and 906B can be amplified and/or filteredto allow for more precise detection of heart rate and respiratory rate.

The control box 924 can perform a pattern recognition algorithm or othercalculation based on the amplified and filtered pressure signal todetermine the user's heart rate and respiratory rate. For example, thealgorithm or calculation can be based on assumptions that a heart rateportion of the signal has a frequency in the range of 0.5-4.0 Hz andthat a respiration rate portion of the signal a has a frequency in therange of less than 1 Hz. The control box 924 can also be configured todetermine other characteristics of a user based on the received pressuresignal, such as blood pressure, tossing and turning movements, rollingmovements, limb movements, weight, the presence or lack of presence of auser, and/or the identity of the user. Techniques for monitoring auser's sleep using heart rate information, respiration rate information,and other user information are disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 20100170043 to Steven J. Young et al., titled “APPARATUSFOR MONITORING VITAL SIGNS,” the entire contents of which isincorporated herein by reference.

For example, the pressure transducer 946 can be used to monitor the airpressure in the chambers 906A and 906B of the bed 912. If the user onthe bed 912 is not moving, the air pressure changes in the air chamber906A or 906B can be relatively minimal, and can be attributable torespiration and/or heartbeat. When the user on the bed 912 is moving,however, the air pressure in the mattress can fluctuate by a much largeramount. Thus, the pressure signals generated by the pressure transducer946 and received by the processor 936 can be filtered and indicated ascorresponding to motion, heartbeat, or respiration.

In some implementations, rather than performing the data analysis in thecontrol box 924 with the processor 936, a digital signal processor (DSP)can be provided to analyze the data collected by the pressure transducer946. Alternatively, the data collected by the pressure transducer 946could be sent to a cloud-based computing system for remote analysis.

In some implementations, the example air bed system 900 further includesa temperature controller configured to increase, decrease, or maintainthe temperature of a bed, for example for the comfort of the user. Forexample, a pad can be placed on top of or be part of the bed 912, or canbe placed on top of or be part of one or both of the chambers 906A and906B. Air can be pushed through the pad and vented to cool off a user ofthe bed. Conversely, the pad can include a heating element that can beused to keep the user warm. In some implementations, the temperaturecontroller can receive temperature readings from the pad. In someimplementations, separate pads are used for the different sides of thebed 912 (e.g., corresponding to the locations of the chambers 906A and906B) to provide for differing temperature control for the differentsides of the bed.

In some implementations, the user of the air bed system 900 can use aninput device, such as the remote control 922, to input a desiredtemperature for the surface of the bed 912 (or for a portion of thesurface of the bed 912). The desired temperature can be encapsulated ina command data structure that includes the desired temperature as wellas identifies the temperature controller as the desired component to becontrolled. The command data structure can then be transmitted viaBluetooth or another suitable communication protocol to the processor936. In various examples, the command data structure is encrypted beforebeing transmitted. The temperature controller can then configure itselements to increase or decrease the temperature of the pad depending onthe temperature input into remote control 922 by the user.

In some implementations, data can be transmitted from a component backto the processor 936 or to one or more display devices, such as thedisplay 926. For example, the current temperature as determined by asensor element of temperature controller, the pressure of the bed 912,the current position of the foundation or other information can betransmitted to control box 924. The control box 924 can then transmitthe received information to remote control 922 where it can be displayedto the user (e.g., on the display 926).

In some implementations, the example air bed system 900 further includesan adjustable foundation and an articulation controller configured toadjust the position of a bed (e.g., the bed 912) by adjusting theadjustable foundation that supports the bed. For example, thearticulation controller can adjust the bed 912 from a flat position to aposition in which a head portion of a mattress of the bed is inclinedupward (e.g., to facilitate a user sitting up in bed and/or watchingtelevision). In some implementations, the bed 912 includes multipleseparately articulable sections. For example, portions of the bedcorresponding to the locations of the chambers 906A and 906B can bearticulated independently from each other, to allow one personpositioned on the bed 912 surface to rest in a first position (e.g., aflat position) while a second person rests in a second position (e.g.,an reclining position with the head raised at an angle from the waist).In some implementations, separate positions can be set for two differentbeds (e.g., two twin beds placed next to each other). The foundation ofthe bed 912 can include more than one zone that can be independentlyadjusted. The articulation controller can also be configured to providedifferent levels of massage to one or more users on the bed 912.

Example of a Bed in a Bedroom Environment

FIG. 11 shows an example environment 300 including a bed 302 incommunication with devices located in and around a home. In the exampleshown, the bed 302 includes pump 304 for controlling air pressure withintwo air chambers 306 a and 306 b (as described above with respect to theair chambers 906A-906B). The pump 304 additionally includes circuitryfor controlling inflation and deflation functionality performed by thepump 304. The circuitry is further programmed to detect fluctuations inair pressure of the air chambers 306 a-b and used the detectedfluctuations in air pressure to identify bed presence of a user 308,sleep state of the user 308, movement of the user 308, and biometricsignals of the user 308 such as heart rate and respiration rate. In theexample shown, the pump 304 is located within a support structure of thebed 302 and the control circuitry 334 for controlling the pump 304 isintegrated with the pump 304. In some implementations, the controlcircuitry 334 is physically separate from the pump 304 and is inwireless or wired communication with the pump 304. In someimplementations, the pump 304 and/or control circuitry 334 are locatedoutside of the bed 302. In some implementations, various controlfunctions can be performed by systems located in different physicallocations. For example, circuitry for controlling actions of the pump304 can be located within a pump casing of the pump 304 while controlcircuitry 334 for performing other functions associated with the bed 302can be located in another portion of the bed 302, or external to the bed302. As another example, control circuitry 334 located within the pump304 can communicate with control circuitry 334 at a remote locationthrough a LAN or WAN (e.g., the internet). As yet another example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can be included in the control box 924 of FIGS. 9and 10 .

In some implementations, one or more devices other than, or in additionto, the pump 304 and control circuitry 334 can be utilized to identifyuser bed presence, sleep state, movement, and biometric signals. Forexample, the bed 302 can include a second pump in addition to the pump304, with each of the two pumps connected to a respective one of the airchambers 306 a-b. For example, the pump 304 can be in fluidcommunication with the air chamber 306 b to control inflation anddeflation of the air chamber 306 b as well as detect user signals for auser located over the air chamber 306 b such as bed presence, sleepstate, movement, and biometric signals while the second pump is in fluidcommunication with the air chamber 306 a to control inflation anddeflation of the air chamber 306 a as well as detect user signals for auser located over the air chamber 306 a.

As another example, the bed 302 can include one or more pressuresensitive pads or surface portions that are operable to detect movement,including user presence, user motion, respiration, and heart rate. Forexample, a first pressure sensitive pad can be incorporated into asurface of the bed 302 over a left portion of the bed 302, where a firstuser would normally be located during sleep, and a second pressuresensitive pad can be incorporated into the surface of the bed 302 over aright portion of the bed 302, where a second user would normally belocated during sleep. The movement detected by one or more pressuresensitive pads or surface portions can be used by control circuitry 334to identify user sleep state, bed presence, or biometric signals.

In some implementations, information detected by the bed 302 (e.g.,motion information) is processed by control circuitry 334 (e.g., controlcircuitry 334 integrated with the pump 304) and provided to one or moreuser devices such as a user device 310 for presentation to the user 308or to other users. In the example depicted in FIG. 11 , the user device310 is a tablet device; however, in some implementations, the userdevice 310 can be a personal computer, a smart phone, a smart television(e.g., a television 312), or other user device capable of wired orwireless communication with the control circuitry 334. The user device310 can be in communication with control circuitry 334 of the bed 302through a network or through direct point-to-point communication. Forexample, the control circuitry 334 can be connected to a LAN (e.g.,through a Wi-Fi router) and communicate with the user device 310 throughthe LAN. As another example, the control circuitry 334 and the userdevice 310 can both connect to the Internet and communicate through theInternet. For example, the control circuitry 334 can connect to theInternet through a WiFi router and the user device 310 can connect tothe Internet through communication with a cellular communication system.As another example, the control circuitry 334 can communicate directlywith the user device 310 through a wireless communication protocol suchas Bluetooth. As yet another example, the control circuitry 334 cancommunicate with the user device 310 through a wireless communicationprotocol such as ZigBee, Z-Wave, infrared, or another wirelesscommunication protocol suitable for the application. As another example,the control circuitry 334 can communicate with the user device 310through a wired connection such as, for example, a USB connector,serial/RS232, or another wired connection suitable for the application.

The user device 310 can display a variety of information and statisticsrelated to sleep, or user 308's interaction with the bed 302. Forexample, a user interface displayed by the user device 310 can presentinformation including amount of sleep for the user 308 over a period oftime (e.g., a single evening, a week, a month, etc.) amount of deepsleep, ratio of deep sleep to restless sleep, time lapse between theuser 308 getting into bed and the user 308 falling asleep, total amountof time spent in the bed 302 for a given period of time, heart rate forthe user 308 over a period of time, respiration rate for the user 308over a period of time, or other information related to user interactionwith the bed 302 by the user 308 or one or more other users of the bed302. In some implementations, information for multiple users can bepresented on the user device 310, for example information for a firstuser positioned over the air chamber 306 a can be presented along withinformation for a second user positioned over the air chamber 306 b. Insome implementations, the information presented on the user device 310can vary according to the age of the user 308. For example, theinformation presented on the user device 310 can evolve with the age ofthe user 308 such that different information is presented on the userdevice 310 as the user 308 ages as a child or an adult.

The user device 310 can also be used as an interface for the controlcircuitry 334 of the bed 302 to allow the user 308 to enter information.The information entered by the user 308 can be used by the controlcircuitry 334 to provide better information to the user or to variouscontrol signals for controlling functions of the bed 302 or otherdevices. For example, the user can enter information such as weight,height, and age and the control circuitry 334 can use this informationto provide the user 308 with a comparison of the user's tracked sleepinformation to sleep information of other people having similar weights,heights, and/or ages as the user 308. As another example, the user 308can use the user device 310 as an interface for controlling air pressureof the air chambers 306 a and 306 b, for controlling various recline orincline positions of the bed 302, for controlling temperature of one ormore surface temperature control devices of the bed 302, or for allowingthe control circuitry 334 to generate control signals for other devices(as described in greater detail below).

In some implementations, control circuitry 334 of the bed 302 (e.g.,control circuitry 334 integrated into the pump 304) can communicate withother first, second, or third party devices or systems in addition to,or instead of, the user device 310. For example, the control circuitry334 can communicate with the television 312, a lighting system 314, athermostat 316, a security system 318, or other house hold devices suchas an oven 322, a coffee maker 324, a lamp 326, and a nightlight 328.Other examples of devices and/or systems that the control circuitry 334can communicate with include a system for controlling window blinds 330,one or more devices for detecting or controlling the states of one ormore doors 332 (such as detecting if a door is open, detecting if a dooris locked, or automatically locking a door), and a system forcontrolling a garage door 320 (e.g., control circuitry 334 integratedwith a garage door opener for identifying an open or closed state of thegarage door 320 and for causing the garage door opener to open or closethe garage door 320). Communications between the control circuitry 334of the bed 302 and other devices can occur through a network (e.g., aLAN or the Internet) or as point-to-point communication (e.g., usingBluetooth, radio communication, or a wired connection). In someimplementations, control circuitry 334 of different beds 302 cancommunicate with different sets of devices. For example, a kid bed maynot communicate with and/or control the same devices as an adult bed. Insome embodiments, the bed 302 can evolve with the age of the user suchthat the control circuitry 334 of the bed 302 communicates withdifferent devices as a function of age of the user.

The control circuitry 334 can receive information and inputs from otherdevices/systems and use the received information and inputs to controlactions of the bed 302 or other devices. For example, the controlcircuitry 334 can receive information from the thermostat 316 indicatinga current environmental temperature for a house or room in which the bed302 is located. The control circuitry 334 can use the receivedinformation (along with other information) to determine if a temperatureof all or a portion of the surface of the bed 302 should be raised orlowered. The control circuitry 334 can then cause a heating or coolingmechanism of the bed 302 to raise or lower the temperature of thesurface of the bed 302. For example, the user 308 can indicate a desiredsleeping temperature of 74 degrees while a second user of the bed 302indicates a desired sleeping temperature of 72 degrees. The thermostat316 can indicate to the control circuitry 334 that the currenttemperature of the bedroom is 72 degrees. The control circuitry 334 canidentify that the user 308 has indicated a desired sleeping temperatureof 74 degrees, and send control signals to a heating pad located on theuser 308's side of the bed to raise the temperature of the portion ofthe surface of the bed 302 where the user 308 is located to raise thetemperature of the user 308's sleeping surface to the desiredtemperature.

The control circuitry 334 can also generate control signals controllingother devices and propagate the control signals to the other devices. Insome implementations, the control signals are generated based oninformation collected by the control circuitry 334, includinginformation related to user interaction with the bed 302 by the user 308and/or one or more other users. In some implementations, informationcollected from one or more other devices other than the bed 302 are usedwhen generating the control signals. For example, information relatingto environmental occurrences (e.g., environmental temperature,environmental noise level, and environmental light level), time of day,time of year, day of the week, or other information can be used whengenerating control signals for various devices in communication with thecontrol circuitry 334 of the bed 302. For example, information on thetime of day can be combined with information relating to movement andbed presence of the user 308 to generate control signals for thelighting system 314. In some implementations, rather than, or inaddition to, providing control signals for one or more other devices,the control circuitry 334 can provide collected information (e.g.,information related to user movement, bed presence, sleep state, orbiometric signals for the user 308) to one or more other devices toallow the one or more other devices to utilize the collected informationwhen generating control signals. For example, control circuitry 334 ofthe bed 302 can provide information relating to user interactions withthe bed 302 by the user 308 to a central controller (not shown) that canuse the provided information to generate control signals for variousdevices, including the bed 302.

Still referring to FIG. 11 , the control circuitry 334 of the bed 302can generate control signals for controlling actions of other devices,and transmit the control signals to the other devices in response toinformation collected by the control circuitry 334, including bedpresence of the user 308, sleep state of the user 308, and otherfactors. For example, control circuitry 334 integrated with the pump 304can detect a feature of a mattress of the bed 302, such as an increasein pressure in the air chamber 306 b, and use this detected increase inair pressure to determine that the user 308 is present on the bed 302.In implementations, the control circuitry 334 can identify a heart rateor respiratory rate for the user 308 to identify that the increase inpressure is due to a person sitting, laying, or otherwise resting on thebed 302 rather than an inanimate object (such as a suitcase) having beenplaced on the bed 302. In some implementations, the informationindicating user bed presence is combined with other information toidentify a current or future likely state for the user 308. For example,a detected user bed presence at 11:00 am can indicate that the user issitting on the bed (e.g., to tie her shoes, or to read a book) and doesnot intend to go to sleep, while a detected user bed presence at 10:00pm can indicate that the user 308 is in bed for the evening and isintending to fall asleep soon. As another example, if the controlcircuitry 334 detects that the user 308 has left the bed 302 at 6:30 am(e.g., indicating that the user 308 has woken up for the day), and thenlater detects user bed presence of the user 308 at 7:30 am, the controlcircuitry 334 can use this information that the newly detected user bedpresence is likely temporary (e.g., while the user 308 ties her shoesbefore heading to work) rather than an indication that the user 308 isintending to stay on the bed 302 for an extended period.

In some implementations, the control circuitry 334 is able to usecollected information (including information related to user interactionwith the bed 302 by the user 308, as well as environmental information,time information, and input received from the user) to identify usepatterns for the user 308. For example, the control circuitry 334 canuse information indicating bed presence and sleep states for the user308 collected over a period of time to identify a sleep pattern for theuser. For example, the control circuitry 334 can identify that the user308 generally goes to bed between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm, generally fallsasleep between 10:00 μm and 11:00 μm, and generally wakes up between6:30 am and 6:45 am based on information indicating user presence andbiometrics for the user 308 collected over a week. The control circuitry334 can use identified patterns for a user to better process andidentify user interactions with the bed 302 by the user 308.

For example, given the above example user bed presence, sleep, and wakepatterns for the user 308, if the user 308 is detected as being on thebed at 3:00 μm, the control circuitry 334 can determine that the user'spresence on the bed is only temporary, and use this determination togenerate different control signals than would be generated if thecontrol circuitry 334 determined that the user 308 was in bed for theevening. As another example, if the control circuitry 334 detects thatthe user 308 has gotten out of bed at 3:00 am, the control circuitry 334can use identified patterns for the user 308 to determine that the userhas only gotten up temporarily (for example, to use the rest room, orget a glass of water) and is not up for the day. By contrast, if thecontrol circuitry 334 identifies that the user 308 has gotten out of thebed 302 at 6:40 am, the control circuitry 334 can determine that theuser is up for the day and generate a different set of control signalsthan those that would be generated if it were determined that the user308 were only getting out of bed temporarily (as would be the case whenthe user 308 gets out of the bed 302 at 3:00 am). For other users 308,getting out of the bed 302 at 3:00 am can be the normal wake-up time,which the control circuitry 334 can learn and respond to accordingly.

As described above, the control circuitry 334 for the bed 302 cangenerate control signals for control functions of various other devices.The control signals can be generated, at least in part, based ondetected interactions by the user 308 with the bed 302, as well as otherinformation including time, date, temperature, etc. For example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can communicate with the television 312, receiveinformation from the television 312, and generate control signals forcontrolling functions of the television 312. For example, the controlcircuitry 334 can receive an indication from the television 312 that thetelevision 312 is currently on. If the television 312 is located in adifferent room from the bed 302, the control circuitry 334 can generatea control signal to turn the television 312 off upon making adetermination that the user 308 has gone to bed for the evening. Forexample, if bed presence of the user 308 on the bed 302 is detectedduring a particular time range (e.g., between 8:00 μm and 7:00 am) andpersists for longer than a threshold period of time (e.g., 10 minutes)the control circuitry 334 can use this information to determine that theuser 308 is in bed for the evening. If the television 312 is on (asindicated by communications received by the control circuitry 334 of thebed 302 from the television 312) the control circuitry 334 can generatea control signal to turn the television 312 off. The control signals canthen be transmitted to the television (e.g., through a directedcommunication link between the television 312 and the control circuitry334 or through a network). As another example, rather than turning offthe television 312 in response to detection of user bed presence, thecontrol circuitry 334 can generate a control signal that causes thevolume of the television 312 to be lowered by a pre-specified amount.

As another example, upon detecting that the user 308 has left the bed302 during a specified time range (e.g., between 6:00 am and 8:00 am)the control circuitry 334 can generate control signals to cause thetelevision 312 to turn on and tune to a pre-specified channel (e.g., theuser 308 has indicated a preference for watching the morning news upongetting out of bed in the morning). The control circuitry 334 cangenerate the control signal and transmit the signal to the television312 to cause the television 312 to turn on and tune to the desiredstation (which could be stored at the control circuitry 334, thetelevision 312, or another location). As another example, upon detectingthat the user 308 has gotten up for the day, the control circuitry 334can generate and transmit control signals to cause the television 312 toturn on and begin playing a previously recorded program from a digitalvideo recorder (DVR) in communication with the television 312.

As another example, if the television 312 is in the same room as the bed302, the control circuitry 334 does not cause the television 312 to turnoff in response to detection of user bed presence. Rather, the controlcircuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals to cause thetelevision 312 to turn off in response to determining that the user 308is asleep. For example, the control circuitry 334 can monitor biometricsignals of the user 308 (e.g., motion, heart rate, respiration rate) todetermine that the user 308 has fallen asleep. Upon detecting that theuser 308 is sleeping, the control circuitry 334 generates and transmitsa control signal to turn the television 312 off. As another example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can generate the control signal to turn off thetelevision 312 after a threshold period of time after the user 308 hasfallen asleep (e.g., 10 minutes after the user has fallen asleep). Asanother example, the control circuitry 334 generates control signals tolower the volume of the television 312 after determining that the user308 is asleep. As yet another example, the control circuitry 334generates and transmits a control signal to cause the television togradually lower in volume over a period of time and then turn off inresponse to determining that the user 308 is asleep.

In some implementations, the control circuitry 334 can similarlyinteract with other media devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, stereo systems, etc. For example, upon detecting that the user308 is asleep, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmit acontrol signal to the user device 310 to cause the user device 310 toturn off or turn down the volume on a video or audio file being playedby the user device 310.

The control circuitry 334 can additionally communicate with the lightingsystem 314, receive information from the lighting system 314, andgenerate control signals for controlling functions of the lightingsystem 314. For example, upon detecting user bed presence on the bed 302during a certain time frame (e.g., between 8:00 pm and 7:00 am) thatlasts for longer than a threshold period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) thecontrol circuitry 334 of the bed 302 can determine that the user 308 isin bed for the evening. In response to this determination, the controlcircuitry 334 can generate control signals to cause lights in one ormore rooms other than the room in which the bed 302 is located to switchoff. The control signals can then be transmitted to the lighting system314 and executed by the lighting system 314 to cause the lights in theindicated rooms to shut off. For example, the control circuitry 334 cangenerate and transmit control signals to turn off lights in all commonrooms, but not in other bedrooms. As another example, the controlsignals generated by the control circuitry 334 can indicate that lightsin all rooms other than the room in which the bed 302 is located are tobe turned off, while one or more lights located outside of the housecontaining the bed 302 are to be turned on, in response to determiningthat the user 308 is in bed for the evening. Additionally, the controlcircuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals to cause thenightlight 328 to turn on in response to determining user 308 bedpresence or whether the user 308 is asleep. As another example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can generate first control signals for turning offa first set of lights (e.g., lights in common rooms) in response todetecting user bed presence, and second control signals for turning offa second set of lights (e.g., lights in the room in which the bed 302 islocated) in response to detecting that the user 308 is asleep.

In some implementations, in response to determining that the user 308 isin bed for the evening, the control circuitry 334 of the bed 302 cangenerate control signals to cause the lighting system 314 to implement asunset lighting scheme in the room in which the bed 302 is located. Asunset lighting scheme can include, for example, dimming the lights(either gradually over time, or all at once) in combination withchanging the color of the light in the bedroom environment, such asadding an amber hue to the lighting in the bedroom. The sunset lightingscheme can help to put the user 308 to sleep when the control circuitry334 has determined that the user 308 is in bed for the evening.

The control circuitry 334 can also be configured to implement a sunriselighting scheme when the user 308 wakes up in the morning. The controlcircuitry 334 can determine that the user 308 is awake for the day, forexample, by detecting that the user 308 has gotten off of the bed 302(i.e., is no longer present on the bed 302) during a specified timeframe (e.g., between 6:00 am and 8:00 am). As another example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can monitor movement, heart rate, respiratoryrate, or other biometric signals of the user 308 to determine that theuser 308 is awake even though the user 308 has not gotten out of bed. Ifthe control circuitry 334 detects that the user is awake during aspecified time frame, the control circuitry 334 can determine that theuser 308 is awake for the day. The specified time frame can be, forexample, based on previously recorded user bed presence informationcollected over a period of time (e.g., two weeks) that indicates thatthe user 308 usually wakes up for the day between 6:30 am and 7:30 am.In response to the control circuitry 334 determining that the user 308is awake, the control circuitry 334 can generate control signals tocause the lighting system 314 to implement the sunrise lighting schemein the bedroom in which the bed 302 is located. The sunrise lightingscheme can include, for example, turning on lights (e.g., the lamp 326,or other lights in the bedroom). The sunrise lighting scheme can furtherinclude gradually increasing the level of light in the room where thebed 302 is located (or in one or more other rooms). The sunrise lightingscheme can also include only turning on lights of specified colors. Forexample, the sunrise lighting scheme can include lighting the bedroomwith blue light to gently assist the user 308 in waking up and becomingactive.

In some implementations, the control circuitry 334 can generatedifferent control signals for controlling actions of one or morecomponents, such as the lighting system 314, depending on a time of daythat user interactions with the bed 302 are detected. For example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can use historical user interaction informationfor interactions between the user 308 and the bed 302 to determine thatthe user 308 usually falls asleep between 10:00 μm and 11:00 μm andusually wakes up between 6:30 am and 7:30 am on weekdays. The controlcircuitry 334 can use this information to generate a first set ofcontrol signals for controlling the lighting system 314 if the user 308is detected as getting out of bed at 3:00 am and to generate a secondset of control signals for controlling the lighting system 314 if theuser 308 is detected as getting out of bed after 6:30 am. For example,if the user 308 gets out of bed prior to 6:30 am, the control circuitry334 can turn on lights that guide the user 308's route to a restroom. Asanother example, if the user 308 gets out of bed prior to 6:30 am, thecontrol circuitry 334 can turn on lights that guide the user 308's routeto the kitchen (which can include, for example, turning on thenightlight 328, turning on under bed lighting, or turning on the lamp326).

As another example, if the user 308 gets out of bed after 6:30 am, thecontrol circuitry 334 can generate control signals to cause the lightingsystem 314 to initiate a sunrise lighting scheme, or to turn on one ormore lights in the bedroom and/or other rooms. In some implementations,if the user 308 is detected as getting out of bed prior to a specifiedmorning rise time for the user 308, the control circuitry 334 causes thelighting system 314 to turn on lights that are dimmer than lights thatare turned on by the lighting system 314 if the user 308 is detected asgetting out of bed after the specified morning rise time. Causing thelighting system 314 to only turn on dim lights when the user 308 getsout of bed during the night (i.e., prior to normal rise time for theuser 308) can prevent other occupants of the house from being woken bythe lights while still allowing the user 308 to see in order to reachthe restroom, kitchen, or another destination within the house.

The historical user interaction information for interactions between theuser 308 and the bed 302 can be used to identify user sleep and awaketime frames. For example, user bed presence times and sleep times can bedetermined for a set period of time (e.g., two weeks, a month, etc.).The control circuitry 334 can then identify a typical time range or timeframe in which the user 308 goes to bed, a typical time frame for whenthe user 308 falls asleep, and a typical time frame for when the user308 wakes up (and in some cases, different time frames for when the user308 wakes up and when the user 308 actually gets out of bed). In someimplementations, buffer time can be added to these time frames. Forexample, if the user 308 is identified as typically going to bed between10:00 μm and 10:30 pm, a buffer of a half hour in each direction can beadded to the time frame such that any detection of the user getting ontothe bed between 9:30 pm and 11:00 pm is interpreted as the user 308going to bed for the evening. As another example, detection of bedpresence of the user 308 starting from a half hour before the earliesttypical time that the user 308 goes to bed extending until the typicalwake up time (e.g., 6:30 am) for the user can be interpreted as the usergoing to bed for the evening. For example, if the user typically goes tobed between 10:00 μm and 10:30 pm, if the user's bed presence is sensedat 12:30 am one night, that can be interpreted as the user getting intobed for the evening even though this is outside of the user's typicaltime frame for going to bed because it has occurred prior to the user'snormal wake up time. In some implementations, different time frames areidentified for different times of the year (e.g., earlier bed timeduring winter vs. summer) or at different times of the week (e.g., userwakes up earlier on weekdays than on weekends).

The control circuitry 334 can distinguish between the user 308 going tobed for an extended period (such as for the night) as opposed to beingpresent on the bed 302 for a shorter period (such as for a nap) bysensing duration of presence of the user 308. In some examples, thecontrol circuitry 334 can distinguish between the user 308 going to bedfor an extended period (such as for the night) as opposed to going tobed for a shorter period (such as for a nap) by sensing duration ofsleep of the user 308. For example, the control circuitry 334 can set atime threshold whereby if the user 308 is sensed on the bed 302 forlonger than the threshold, the user 308 is considered to have gone tobed for the night. In some examples, the threshold can be about 2 hours,whereby if the user 308 is sensed on the bed 302 for greater than 2hours, the control circuitry 334 registers that as an extended sleepevent. In other examples, the threshold can be greater than or less thantwo hours.

The control circuitry 334 can detect repeated extended sleep events todetermine a typical bed time range of the user 308 automatically,without requiring the user 308 to enter a bed time range. This can allowthe control circuitry 334 to accurately estimate when the user 308 islikely to go to bed for an extended sleep event, regardless of whetherthe user 308 typically goes to bed using a traditional sleep schedule ora non-traditional sleep schedule. The control circuitry 334 can then useknowledge of the bed time range of the user 308 to control one or morecomponents (including components of the bed 302 and/or non-bedperipherals) differently based on sensing bed presence during the bedtime range or outside of the bed time range.

In some examples, the control circuitry 334 can automatically determinethe bed time range of the user 308 without requiring user inputs. Insome examples, the control circuitry 334 can determine the bed timerange of the user 308 automatically and in combination with user inputs.In some examples, the control circuitry 334 can set the bed time rangedirectly according to user inputs. In some examples, the controlcircuitry 334 can associate different bed times with different days ofthe week. In each of these examples, the control circuitry 334 cancontrol one or more components (such as the lighting system 314, thethermostat 316, the security system 318, the oven 322, the coffee maker324, the lamp 326, and the nightlight 328), as a function of sensed bedpresence and the bed time range.

The control circuitry 334 can additionally communicate with thethermostat 316, receive information from the thermostat 316, andgenerate control signals for controlling functions of the thermostat316. For example, the user 308 can indicate user preferences fordifferent temperatures at different times, depending on the sleep stateor bed presence of the user 308. For example, the user 308 may prefer anenvironmental temperature of 72 degrees when out of bed, 70 degrees whenin bed but awake, and 68 degrees when sleeping. The control circuitry334 of the bed 302 can detect bed presence of the user 308 in theevening and determine that the user 308 is in bed for the night. Inresponse to this determination, the control circuitry 334 can generatecontrol signals to cause the thermostat to change the temperature to 70degrees. The control circuitry 334 can then transmit the control signalsto the thermostat 316. Upon detecting that the user 308 is in bed duringthe bed time range or asleep, the control circuitry 334 can generate andtransmit control signals to cause the thermostat 316 to change thetemperature to 68. The next morning, upon determining that the user isawake for the day (e.g., the user 308 gets out of bed after 6:30 am) thecontrol circuitry 334 can generate and transmit control circuitry 334 tocause the thermostat to change the temperature to 72 degrees.

In some implementations, the control circuitry 334 can similarlygenerate control signals to cause one or more heating or coolingelements on the surface of the bed 302 to change temperature at varioustimes, either in response to user interaction with the bed 302 or atvarious pre-programmed times. For example, the control circuitry 334 canactivate a heating element to raise the temperature of one side of thesurface of the bed 302 to 73 degrees when it is detected that the user308 has fallen asleep. As another example, upon determining that theuser 308 is up for the day, the control circuitry 334 can turn off aheating or cooling element. As yet another example, the user 308 canpre-program various times at which the temperature at the surface of thebed should be raised or lowered. For example, the user can program thebed 302 to raise the surface temperature to 76 degrees at 10:00 μm, andlower the surface temperature to 68 degrees at 11:30 pm.

In some implementations, in response to detecting user bed presence ofthe user 308 and/or that the user 308 is asleep, the control circuitry334 can cause the thermostat 316 to change the temperature in differentrooms to different values. For example, in response to determining thatthe user 308 is in bed for the evening, the control circuitry 334 cangenerate and transmit control signals to cause the thermostat 316 to setthe temperature in one or more bedrooms of the house to 72 degrees andset the temperature in other rooms to 67 degrees.

The control circuitry 334 can also receive temperature information fromthe thermostat 316 and use this temperature information to controlfunctions of the bed 302 or other devices. For example, as discussedabove, the control circuitry 334 can adjust temperatures of heatingelements included in the bed 302 in response to temperature informationreceived from the thermostat 316.

In some implementations, the control circuitry 334 can generate andtransmit control signals for controlling other temperature controlsystems. For example, in response to determining that the user 308 isawake for the day, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmitcontrol signals for causing floor heating elements to activate. Forexample, the control circuitry 334 can cause a floor heating system fora master bedroom to turn on in response to determining that the user 308is awake for the day.

The control circuitry 334 can additionally communicate with the securitysystem 318, receive information from the security system 318, andgenerate control signals for controlling functions of the securitysystem 318. For example, in response to detecting that the user 308 inis bed for the evening, the control circuitry 334 can generate controlsignals to cause the security system to engage or disengage securityfunctions. The control circuitry 334 can then transmit the controlsignals to the security system 318 to cause the security system 318 toengage. As another example, the control circuitry 334 can generate andtransmit control signals to cause the security system 318 to disable inresponse to determining that the user 308 is awake for the day (e.g.,user 308 is no longer present on the bed 302 after 6:00 am). In someimplementations, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmit afirst set of control signals to cause the security system 318 to engagea first set of security features in response to detecting user bedpresence of the user 308, and can generate and transmit a second set ofcontrol signals to cause the security system 318 to engage a second setof security features in response to detecting that the user 308 hasfallen asleep.

In some implementations, the control circuitry 334 can receive alertsfrom the security system 318 (and/or a cloud service associated with thesecurity system 318) and indicate the alert to the user 308. Forexample, the control circuitry 334 can detect that the user 308 is inbed for the evening and in response, generate and transmit controlsignals to cause the security system 318 to engage or disengage. Thesecurity system can then detect a security breach (e.g., someone hasopened the door 332 without entering the security code, or someone hasopened a window when the security system 318 is engaged). The securitysystem 318 can communicate the security breach to the control circuitry334 of the bed 302. In response to receiving the communication from thesecurity system 318, the control circuitry 334 can generate controlsignals to alert the user 308 to the security breach. For example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can cause the bed 302 to vibrate. As anotherexample, the control circuitry 334 can cause portions of the bed 302 toarticulate (e.g., cause the head section to raise or lower) in order towake the user 308 and alert the user to the security breach. As anotherexample, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmit controlsignals to cause the lamp 326 to flash on and off at regular intervalsto alert the user 308 to the security breach. As another example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can alert the user 308 of one bed 302 regarding asecurity breach in a bedroom of another bed, such as an open window in akid's bedroom. As another example, the control circuitry 334 can send analert to a garage door controller (e.g., to close and lock the door). Asanother example, the control circuitry 334 can send an alert for thesecurity to be disengaged.

The control circuitry 334 can additionally generate and transmit controlsignals for controlling the garage door 320 and receive informationindicating a state of the garage door 320 (i.e., open or closed). Forexample, in response to determining that the user 308 is in bed for theevening, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmit a requestto a garage door opener or another device capable of sensing if thegarage door 320 is open. The control circuitry 334 can requestinformation on the current state of the garage door 320. If the controlcircuitry 334 receives a response (e.g., from the garage door opener)indicating that the garage door 320 is open, the control circuitry 334can either notify the user 308 that the garage door is open, or generatea control signal to cause the garage door opener to close the garagedoor 320. For example, the control circuitry 334 can send a message tothe user device 310 indicating that the garage door is open. As anotherexample, the control circuitry 334 can cause the bed 302 to vibrate. Asyet another example, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmita control signal to cause the lighting system 314 to cause one or morelights in the bedroom to flash to alert the user 308 to check the userdevice 310 for an alert (in this example, an alert regarding the garagedoor 320 being open). Alternatively, or additionally, the controlcircuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals to cause thegarage door opener to close the garage door 320 in response toidentifying that the user 308 is in bed for the evening and that thegarage door 320 is open. In some implementations, control signals canvary depend on the age of the user 308.

The control circuitry 334 can similarly send and receive communicationsfor controlling or receiving state information associated with the door332 or the oven 322. For example, upon detecting that the user 308 is inbed for the evening, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmita request to a device or system for detecting a state of the door 332.Information returned in response to the request can indicate variousstates for the door 332 such as open, closed but unlocked, or closed andlocked. If the door 332 is open or closed but unlocked, the controlcircuitry 334 can alert the user 308 to the state of the door, such asin a manner described above with reference to the garage door 320.Alternatively, or in addition to alerting the user 308, the controlcircuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals to cause thedoor 332 to lock, or to close and lock. If the door 332 is closed andlocked, the control circuitry 334 can determine that no further actionis needed.

Similarly, upon detecting that the user 308 is in bed for the evening,the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmit a request to theoven 322 to request a state of the oven 322 (e.g., on or off). If theoven 322 is on, the control circuitry 334 can alert the user 308 and/orgenerate and transmit control signals to cause the oven 322 to turn off.If the oven is already off, the control circuitry 334 can determine thatno further action is necessary. In some implementations, differentalerts can be generated for different events. For example, the controlcircuitry 334 can cause the lamp 326 (or one or more other lights, viathe lighting system 314) to flash in a first pattern if the securitysystem 318 has detected a breach, flash in a second pattern if garagedoor 320 is on, flash in a third pattern if the door 332 is open, flashin a fourth pattern if the oven 322 is on, and flash in a fifth patternif another bed has detected that a user of that bed has gotten up (e.g.,that a child of the user 308 has gotten out of bed in the middle of thenight as sensed by a sensor in the bed 302 of the child). Other examplesof alerts that can be processed by the control circuitry 334 of the bed302 and communicated to the user include a smoke detector detectingsmoke (and communicating this detection of smoke to the controlcircuitry 334), a carbon monoxide tester detecting carbon monoxide, aheater malfunctioning, or an alert from any other device capable ofcommunicating with the control circuitry 334 and detecting an occurrencethat should be brought to the user 308's attention.

The control circuitry 334 can also communicate with a system or devicefor controlling a state of the window blinds 330. For example, inresponse to determining that the user 308 is in bed for the evening, thecontrol circuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals to causethe window blinds 330 to close. As another example, in response todetermining that the user 308 is up for the day (e.g., user has gottenout of bed after 6:30 am) the control circuitry 334 can generate andtransmit control signals to cause the window blinds 330 to open. Bycontrast, if the user 308 gets out of bed prior to a normal rise timefor the user 308, the control circuitry 334 can determine that the user308 is not awake for the day and does not generate control signals forcausing the window blinds 330 to open. As yet another example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals thatcause a first set of blinds to close in response to detecting user bedpresence of the user 308 and a second set of blinds to close in responseto detecting that the user 308 is asleep.

The control circuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals forcontrolling functions of other household devices in response todetecting user interactions with the bed 302. For example, in responseto determining that the user 308 is awake for the day, the controlcircuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals to the coffeemaker 324 to cause the coffee maker 324 to begin brewing coffee. Asanother example, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmitcontrol signals to the oven 322 to cause the oven to begin preheating(for users that like fresh baked bread in the morning). As anotherexample, the control circuitry 334 can use information indicating thatthe user 308 is awake for the day along with information indicating thatthe time of year is currently winter and/or that the outside temperatureis below a threshold value to generate and transmit control signals tocause a car engine block heater to turn on.

As another example, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmitcontrol signals to cause one or more devices to enter a sleep mode inresponse to detecting user bed presence of the user 308, or in responseto detecting that the user 308 is asleep. For example, the controlcircuitry 334 can generate control signals to cause a mobile phone ofthe user 308 to switch into sleep mode. The control circuitry 334 canthen transmit the control signals to the mobile phone. Later, upondetermining that the user 308 is up for the day, the control circuitry334 can generate and transmit control signals to cause the mobile phoneto switch out of sleep mode.

In some implementations, the control circuitry 334 can communicate withone or more noise control devices. For example, upon determining thatthe user 308 is in bed for the evening, or that the user 308 is asleep,the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmit control signals tocause one or more noise cancelation devices to activate. The noisecancelation devices can, for example, be included as part of the bed 302or located in the bedroom with the bed 302. As another example, upondetermining that the user 308 is in bed for the evening or that the user308 is asleep, the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmitcontrol signals to turn the volume on, off, up, or down, for one or moresound generating devices, such as a stereo system radio, computer,tablet, etc.

Additionally, functions of the bed 302 are controlled by the controlcircuitry 334 in response to user interactions with the bed 302. Forexample, the bed 302 can include an adjustable foundation and anarticulation controller configured to adjust the position of one or moreportions of the bed 302 by adjusting the adjustable foundation thatsupports the bed. For example, the articulation controller can adjustthe bed 302 from a flat position to a position in which a head portionof a mattress of the bed 302 is inclined upward (e.g., to facilitate auser sitting up in bed and/or watching television). In someimplementations, the bed 302 includes multiple separately articulablesections. For example, portions of the bed corresponding to thelocations of the air chambers 306 a and 306 b can be articulatedindependently from each other, to allow one person positioned on the bed302 surface to rest in a first position (e.g., a flat position) while asecond person rests in a second position (e.g., a reclining positionwith the head raised at an angle from the waist). In someimplementations, separate positions can be set for two different beds(e.g., two twin beds placed next to each other). The foundation of thebed 302 can include more than one zone that can be independentlyadjusted. The articulation controller can also be configured to providedifferent levels of massage to one or more users on the bed 302 or tocause the bed to vibrate to communicate alerts to the user 308 asdescribed above.

The control circuitry 334 can adjust positions (e.g., incline anddecline positions for the user 308 and/or an additional user of the bed302) in response to user interactions with the bed 302. For example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can cause the articulation controller to adjustthe bed 302 to a first recline position for the user 308 in response tosensing user bed presence for the user 308. The control circuitry 334can cause the articulation controller to adjust the bed 302 to a secondrecline position (e.g., a less reclined, or flat position) in responseto determining that the user 308 is asleep. As another example, thecontrol circuitry 334 can receive a communication from the television312 indicating that the user 308 has turned off the television 312, andin response the control circuitry 334 can cause the articulationcontroller to adjust the position of the bed 302 to a preferred usersleeping position (e.g., due to the user turning off the television 312while the user 308 is in bed indicating that the user 308 wishes to goto sleep).

In some implementations, the control circuitry 334 can control thearticulation controller so as to wake up one user of the bed 302 withoutwaking another user of the bed 302. For example, the user 308 and asecond user of the bed 302 can each set distinct wakeup times (e.g.,6:30 am and 7:15 am respectively). When the wakeup time for the user 308is reached, the control circuitry 334 can cause the articulationcontroller to vibrate or change the position of only a side of the bedon which the user 308 is located to wake the user 308 without disturbingthe second user. When the wakeup time for the second user is reached,the control circuitry 334 can cause the articulation controller tovibrate or change the position of only the side of the bed on which thesecond user is located. Alternatively, when the second wakeup timeoccurs, the control circuitry 334 can utilize other methods (such asaudio alarms, or turning on the lights) to wake the second user sincethe user 308 is already awake and therefore will not be disturbed whenthe control circuitry 334 attempts to wake the second user.

Still referring to FIG. 11 , the control circuitry 334 for the bed 302can utilize information for interactions with the bed 302 by multipleusers to generate control signals for controlling functions of variousother devices. For example, the control circuitry 334 can wait togenerate control signals for, for example, engaging the security system318, or instructing the lighting system 314 to turn off lights invarious rooms until both the user 308 and a second user are detected asbeing present on the bed 302. As another example, the control circuitry334 can generate a first set of control signals to cause the lightingsystem 314 to turn off a first set of lights upon detecting bed presenceof the user 308 and generate a second set of control signals for turningoff a second set of lights in response to detecting bed presence of asecond user. As another example, the control circuitry 334 can waituntil it has been determined that both the user 308 and a second userare awake for the day before generating control signals to open thewindow blinds 330. As yet another example, in response to determiningthat the user 308 has left the bed and is awake for the day, but that asecond user is still sleeping, the control circuitry 334 can generateand transmit a first set of control signals to cause the coffee maker324 to begin brewing coffee, to cause the security system 318 todeactivate, to turn on the lamp 326, to turn off the nightlight 328, tocause the thermostat 316 to raise the temperature in one or more roomsto 72 degrees, and to open blinds (e.g., the window blinds 330) in roomsother than the bedroom in which the bed 302 is located. Later, inresponse to detecting that the second user is no longer present on thebed 302 (or that the second user is awake) the control circuitry 334 cangenerate and transmit a second set of control signals to, for example,cause the lighting system 314 to turn on one or more lights in thebedroom, to cause window blinds in the bedroom to open, and to turn onthe television 312 to a pre-specified channel.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of thedisclosed technology or of what may be claimed, but rather asdescriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodimentsof particular disclosed technologies. Certain features that aredescribed in this specification in the context of separate embodimentscan also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment in part orin whole. Conversely, various features that are described in the contextof a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodimentsseparately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, althoughfeatures may be described herein as acting in certain combinationsand/or initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimedcombination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and theclaimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation ofa subcombination. Similarly, while operations may be described in aparticular order, this should not be understood as requiring that suchoperations be performed in the particular order or in sequential order,or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example,in some embodiments the mattress system 100 can include more or fewerfoam structures and/or air chambers than those illustrated. Moreover, insome embodiments the mattress system 100 can include additional featuresnot depicted, such as coil springs, comfort layers, sensors, or othersupport structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mattress comprising: a core having a cornerpositioned along a top surface of the core and extending along a headportion, a foot portion, and first and second side portions of the corea perimeter rail structure that extends around a perimeter of the coreto surround the core; and wherein the core is attached via the corner tothe perimeter rail structure along the perimeter rail structure.
 2. Themattress of claim 1, further comprising a foam layer positioned at a topsurface of the mattress above the core and the perimeter rail structure.3. The mattress of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of strapsthat are each positioned between a top surface of the perimeter railstructure and a bottom surface of the foam layer.
 4. The mattress ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of straps attach the perimeter railstructure to the corner.
 5. The mattress of claim 1, wherein themattress is configured to be compressed and rolled, and in a compressedand rolled position, the attachment of the core to the perimeter railstructure maintains a desired positioning of the core.
 6. The mattressof claim 1, wherein the core is one or more air chambers.
 7. Themattress of claim 6, wherein the corner includes a seam that extendsoutwardly from the top surface of the core.
 8. The mattress of claim 7,wherein a plurality of straps connects the core to the perimeter railstructure.
 9. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the core is one or morefoam layers.
 10. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the perimeter railstructure includes an inverted foam tub that surrounds the core.
 11. Amattress comprising: one or more air chambers; a perimeter railstructure including a head portion, a foot portion, and first and secondside portions, wherein the perimeter rail structure is configured toextend around a perimeter of the one or more air chambers to surroundthe one or more air chambers; and one or more anchors that connect theone or more air chambers to the perimeter rail structure.
 12. Themattress of claim 11, wherein each of the one or more air chambersincludes a seam positioned along a top surface of the air chamber andextending outwardly from the air chamber along a head portion, a footportion, and first and second side portions of the air chamber.
 13. Themattress of claim 11, wherein the one or more anchors connect theperimeter rail structure to the one or more air chambers at the seam.14. The mattress of claim 12, wherein the one or more anchors include aplurality of straps positioned around the perimeter of the one or moreair chambers and extend between the seam and the perimeter railstructure.
 15. The mattress of claim 14, wherein each of the pluralityof straps are each attached between a top surface of the perimeter railstructure and a bottom surface of a foam layer.
 16. The mattress ofclaim 11, wherein the anchors are positioned along a length and along awidth of the air chamber.
 17. The mattress of claim 11, wherein the oneor more air chambers includes a first air chamber and a second airchamber that extend from a head of the mattress to a foot of themattress, the mattress further comprising a pump system having one ormore air pumps fluidly connected to the first and second air chambers,wherein the pump system is configured to inflate the first and secondair chambers.
 18. A method of assembling a mattress assembly comprising:connecting a core to a perimeter rail structure; compressing andpackaging a compressed mattress including the core and perimeter railstructure; and expanding the compressed mattress while the core remainssecured to the perimeter rail structure.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the core is connected to the perimeter rail structure via acorner positioned along a top surface of the core.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the core is an air chamber that has a seam extendingfrom the core, and the core is connected to the perimeter rail structureat the seam of the air chamber extending along a top surface of the airchamber.